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“If the comic book industry were a person, some days, I’d kick it in the crotch.”—from an e-mail I sent to Jason Burns, assistant publisher of Viper Comics, on June 2, 2006

My first year to attend Comic Con International in San Diego, I had the opportunity to either meet Stan Lee or Will Eisner at the signing pavilion in the convention center. I would’ve enjoying meeting both. But with the schedule the way it was, it wouldn’t be possible.

I’m a big Marvel zombie. So much so, that I use the term “Marvel zombie” without a hint of irony. I even have a letter printed in the back of X-Factor #49. I was 12 years old at the time. Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men, Daredevil, I love all of it. However, on a personal level, meeting Will Eisner was more important.

Eisner was the voice speaking out for comics to be embraced as literature and as art. He dedicated his career to giving comics a healthy dose of maturity and intelligence, sophistication.  Whereas it’s always bugged me, Stan Lee talks in interviews about how (when starting off) he would’ve rather done movies. Now we’ve got an entire comic book industry that would rather “do movies.”

Eisner’s art, if nothing else, is the epitome of emotive power. When Eisner’s characters cry, they weep, they shake and tremble. Happiness is elation, joyous triumph. And loneliness never felt so crippling as it does on the pages of Eisner’s work. I could care less about watching a movie when I’ve got one of his graphic novels in my hands.

I can’t fault Stan Lee for being Stan Lee. Heck, if it weren’t awkward, I’d give the guy a big hug and a kiss. However, if given the chance to shake anyone’s hand and say “thank you,” I’ll stand in line to meet Mr. Eisner.

QUESTION: In a world ruled only by your own imagination, what would the perfect comic book convention look like?

ANSWER: “There would be hundreds of publishers and self-publishers, thousands of happy fans, and no Hollywood anything in sight. It would be all about the books.” - Terry Moore, Strangers in Paradise

“One time, my girlfriend, Mahfood, and I were all set up at Wizard World LA. We’re sitting there pimping our wares when, all of a sudden, we hear this muffled voice saying, ‘Beep-beep! Beep-beep!’ We turn just in time to see this ginormous dude on a rascal (one of those elderly go-carts), that’s trying to wheel his way through this dense crowd. I think it was a line to get Alan Moore’s ‘Howard The Duck’ advanced issue or something. Anyway, this rolling butter basket guy is trying to get people to move. But, instead of saying ‘excuse me,’ he’s making a fake car horn noise. He went by a few times, and people kept looking at him funny and NOT moving. Damn… I haven’t laughed that hard since Bush fell off his Segue.”—Dave Crosland, Puffed, Bad Ideas, Slop: Analecta

“My second year at the San Diego Comic-Con, a guy I never met before gave me his peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”—Jamar Nicholas, Detective Boogaloo

Blog excerpt from May 17, 2006 --

“I’m absolutely in love with independent and small press comic book creators. What other artform is so accessible? To pursue art and story without the commercial constraints that limit every other popular medium. Both the film and music industries have been co-opted and abused by larger corporate interests. While it’d be nice to make a living selling mini-comics, you find that comic book creators don’t have the same delusions of grandeur that many other artists have. I might be wrong here, but the people I’ve met just want to make art and tell stories, and hopefully get some respect along the way. They’ve avoided the ridiculous posturing of other art-rock-gods, the cult of cool that strangles genuine expression.”

WIKIPEDIA OF THE WEEK: ALTERNATIVE COMICS -->

Where the content of “mainstream” comics is influenced by corporate managers attempting to maximize sales, “alternative” comics are often published in small numbers for specialized audiences, which allows for the publication of material that many in a more general readership would likely find obscure or offensive.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK -->

First, you need to get Flight 3, published by Ballantine Books, edited by Kazu Kibuishi. 352 glorious pages. (ISBN #0345490398)

Second, you need to visit the new site for Detective Boogaloo, www.detectiveboogaloo.com

THE SCOTT MCCLOUD CHESS CHALLENGE -->

Okay, this may not work at all. But let’s give it a shot. Scott McCloud lives online right? Surely, somebody knows somebody who can get him to read this column, right? So Scott McCloud, if you’re reading this—I’m challenging you to a friendly game of chess. And for every week you send me your move (), I’ll promote your stuff on my column.

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It’s your move. If… you… dare… For everyone else, check out McCloud’s newest book available September 2006: Making Comics More information to follow (hopefully).

This concludes my first week of “Beneath the Underdog” for Pop Syndicate. Feedback appreciated. Discussion encouraged.

Come back next Thursday when I attempt (in vain) to convince Chynna Clugston
to drink Coca-Cola instead of Pepsi.

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